As A Blogger, I Don’t Know If I Like Your Tone!
It’s all about tone!
Tone in your writing, how you write and what you write.
If you don’t have the right “Tone” in your writing, people will either not understand you, miss quote you or take what you wrote and get the complete opposite meaning, then you originally meant for it.
I know from experience, it’s happened to me quite a few times and you know what - it’s frustrating as hell.
You just need to be YOU!
If you write like you would when you’re giving info to a friend or a family member, you should be pretty much good to go.
Punctuation, spelling and grammar - not as important as most think. Heck, most people reading what you write, only have a 6th grade reading level.
The people that pick apart your writing are people are choose to do it for their own benefit. And people that pay way to much attention to everything BUT the content.
If you use the right tone you can get your point across and provide GREAT content without being a world class writer.
Case in point - ME - I’m terrible at spelling, my grammar sucks, and punctuation…who needs it!
To be honest - I believe that grammar, punctuation and spelling are very important. It helps with making you look more professional when everything is correct. BUT, you don’t have to be perfect. People make mistakes and the people who find those mistakes, will get over them. Focus on the content, and the tone in which you provide that content. Give GOOD content with a easy to consume tone to it, and you’ve got a home run whether you’re a good speller, great grammar person - or not.
You’ll find lots of spelling errors and all sorts of things wrong here, and most of my other blogs to. But I believe I give good content. I write in a good, easy to handle and consume tone and I lay it out there like it is, no sugar coated crap from me
Anyway, write as yourself, be yourself and use the same tone in your writing , that you do in your speaking, and you’ll do just fine online.
|
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Related posts:
From my perspective as the webmaster of an educational resources website, I can attest to the fact that grammar and composition *does* matter for many audiences. While I agree with many of your points regarding the importance of being genuine when you write, I sincerely believe it’s important to follow good writing guidelines whenever possible.
Once again, I do recognize the fact that many audiences won’t care if a blog contains numerous grammatical gaffes. However, bloggers who aspire to be taken seriously as writers at some point in their careers would do well to carefully review their posts before hitting the “Publish” button.
[Reply]
David Porter Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
@Phil Paradis,
I agree! I think proper writing and grammar is something everyone online should shoot for as a goal with their blog posts, comments and even emails and salesletters.
BUT, I do know that a lot of people email me asking how they can get started online blogging or in email marketing. They say they’re terrible at spelling and grammar sucks, and want to know how to get started.
Well, just get started - do it - get out there and start writing.
My main point in the post here was that people WILL get over your misspellings and your bad grammar, as long as the content you provide is good and from your heart.
Don’t use lack of writing skills as an excuse to not get things started for yourself. Just get out there any do it.
People will find tons of spelling errors, grammatical errors and all sorts of stuff here - But I get my message out there and the point across.
Now I DO worry about grammar and such, and I do believe 100% that it helps in making you look more like a pro - but it’s not needed to get started online.
So - YES! I agree with you 100% Phil
But to anyone out there reading this, don’t push off getting your blog online and write those emails or even finishing that report, because of spelling or grammar issues. Get it done! If you are worry about that stuff - go to http://www.guru.com and find someone for a few bucks to proof read it and make corrections.
Thanks for posting a comment here Phil.
David
[Reply]
Just a quick heads up: your site’s header links to “http://www.wordpress-master/” instead of your home page (the .com is missing).
[Reply]
David Porter Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Thanks, fixed it
[Reply]
I found your site on google, great site, keep it up. Will return in the future. Submitted this post to Google News Reader.
[Reply]
There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also.
[Reply]
Generally I do not comment on blogs, but I want to say that your article really forced me to do so! really nice article.
[Reply]
Thank you for the great update.
[Reply]